Vatican, Rome | VATICAN NEWS | Black smoke rose from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 11:50 on Thursday morning, signalling the second ballot of the first full day of the conclave – and the third ballot overall – was inconclusive. As the cardinals break for lunch, the people …

HANGZHOU | Xinhua | In a compact shop no larger than 10 square meters, Tao Yang, a vendor in Yiwu — a city in Zhejiang Province known as “the world’s supermarket” — keeps a well-used World Atlas on her desk. “I ask my customers to sign their names over their …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Absa Bank Uganda has appointed David Wandera as Managing Director following the necessary regulatory approval from the Bank of Uganda. David is an accomplished banker with over 20 years of diverse experience in business leadership, financial management, strategy and stakeholder engagement. Prior to this appointment, …

Vatican, Rome | VATICAN NEWS | The first act of the new Pope, immediately after accepting his canonical election as Supreme Pontiff and before fulfilling other obligations, is the choice of his name. This name is announced by the Cardinal Protodeacon after the famous formula “Habemus Papam”, followed by the …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  aBi Finance is equipping Uganda’s leading microfinance institutions and SACCOs with the tools to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations through a targeted training program. Delivered in partnership with the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), the initiative aims to drive …

  Black smoke has emerged at the Vatican, indicating no Pope has been elected. Vatican, Rome | THE INDEPENDENT |  Black smoke signaled the end of the first day of the conclave at 21:00 local time, hours after the doors of the Sistine Chapel were closed with the words, “Extra omnes” …

What better way to bring all Smirnoff lovers together than an exquisite party experience? Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Last week, Smirnoff shut down Tilly’s Bar in Entebbe with an energetic and vibrant pre-Fiesta party that brought together music and Smirnoff lovers for an experience to remember. Hosted by …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The newly established Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) has launched its inaugural national assessment, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of the country’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector. UVTAB was established under the TVET Act by merging the …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, Richard Todwong, has pledged to investigate allegations of irregularities in the recently concluded party structures and Local Council One (LC1) flag bearers election. On Tuesday, the NRM held elections for LC1 flag bearers and party …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has failed to start hearing the case in which former Rubaga Division Deputy Resident City Commissioner  Herbert Anderson Burora is accused of hate speech and spreading malicious information to demean the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among. The hearing …